IPL 2022: Kolkata has always been nice to me – Shubman Gill after GT qualifies for finals

Gujarat Titans opener Shubman Gill was delighted after his team qualified for the Tata IPL 2022 after beating Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Tuesday.

Gill, who earlier played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, had the experience of playing at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

In fact, the stylish batter had an average of more than 40 while playing for KKR at Eden Gardens. Gill once again gave a good start to Gujarat Titans after he lost his opening partner Wriddhiman Saha early.

Gill added 72 runs with Matthew Wade for the second wicket off just 44 balls to keep GT ahead of the asking rate in the run-chase of 189 runs. The youngster took the attack against veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and scored 14 runs off the first three balls in the last over of the PowerPlay.

Gill scored a fine knock of 35 runs off just 21 balls before he was sold down the river by his batting partner Matthew Wade.

The GT opener said after the game, “Kolkata has always been nice to me, fortunately it was one of those nights where we were on the winning side, happy we are in the finals. After Saha got out, we got off to a good start in the powerplay, batting in the Eden Gardens is always fun. We expected the surface to be a belter, but the ball was holding a bit and spinners were getting a bit of grip on this wicket. It’s a new team but the way the support staff and players have come together has been tremendous to watch, we are all really enjoying our cricket. There hasn’t been any added pressure on me, I was picked (in the draft) because I have done well for my earlier franchises, I don’t have to prove anything to anyone, I just had to contribute to my team and play well for them. It was nice to watch (from the sidelines), a semi-final and your teammates are doing the job, it was amazing.”

Meanwhile, GT was able to get over the line by seven wickets in the run-chase of 189 runs after David Miller scored a match-winning knock of 66 runs. Matthew Wade also contributed with 35 runs whereas Hardik Pandya scored an unbeaten knock of 40 runs off just 27 balls.

GT will now play the IPL final on May 29 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.